Saving face

We do like celebrating Chinese New Year. A lot. On top of being at the receiving end of hong bao (our sympathies to married couples), we get to experiment with different hair and make-up styles to look all peachy and fabulous for full days of visiting judgemental relatives. We've always liked a challenge.

The four looks presented here are our interpretations of styles hot off the Spring/Summer 2013 runways. Think bright, clean peepers with a touch of colour; lashes prettily laced with a hint of mascara; and fresh, glossy puckers to do all the smiling.

Take that, Aunty No 5.

The first day of the Chinese New Year will probably be a whole-day affair going from house to house. You'll need an up-do to stay cool. Braid your hair starting from the side, loosen the braids, twirl it up into a bun and secure it with bobby pins. Complete your hairdo with an au naturel look using Urban Decay Naked Basics palette (S$42) for the eyes and L'Oreal Paris Shine Caresse in 604 Bella (available from Feb for S$18.90) for your puckers.

On hair: Redken Quick Tease 15, price unavailable.

Lip colours that bleed are no fun at all, especially when all eyes are on you. Use products that don't transfer, like the amazing Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouge (S$39), or Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Vernis A Levres Glossy Stain (S$43) and L'Oreal Paris Shine Caresse (S$18.90), a gel-based product that stays on without the bleeding of a gloss.

On face: Shu Uemura POREraser UV under base mousse SPF35 PA+++, S$60; Clio All Day Free Light Foundation SPF30 PA++, S$35.90.

On eyes: Majorlica Majorca The Little Humming Book 1 Eyeshadow Palette, S$25.90.

On nails: Sally Hansen Diamond Strength, No-Chip Nail Color in 170 Bride-To-Be, S$13.90.

Ensure your eye shadow, liner and even your brows have prolonged staying power in our sweaty climes by using colourless make-up eye shadow bases. Try Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (S$37), Urban Decay Eye Potion in Original (S$33) or Make Up For Ever Eye Prime (S$35) and blend all over your lids. Just want a sweep of colour? Shiseido Makeup Shimmering Cream Eye Color (S$32) and Kose Esprique Brilliant Liquid Eye Color (S$36) offer a pretty range of colours in Asian-friendly tones. For those preferring natural shades, M.A.C.'s Pro Longwear Paint Pot (available from Feb for S$34) will do the trick.

On eyes: L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24HR Eyeshadow in 02 Hourglass Beige, S$14.90; Shu Uemura Unmask Palette in Green, S$98.

On lips: Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Volupte Sheer Candy in 11 Frosted Mint, S$45; Shu Uemura Gloss Unlimited in AT20G, price unavailable.

Who says pastel blue can't work on Asian lids? Urban Decay and Make Up For Ever offer a brilliant slew of coloured waterproof eyeliners. A classic flick of black eyeliner alongside a touch of Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Periwinkle (available from March for S$28), will also modernise the look impeccably. Seal the deal with sheer, fresh peach lips for Chinese New Year because, as make-up artist Larry Yeo put it, traditional red is boring.

On eyes: Urban Decay Naked Basics palette, S$42; Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Periwinkle (available from March), S$28; Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid Eyeliner in Perversion, S$32.

On lips: Lancome Rouge in Love in 244N, S$40; Hello Kitty Diamond Gloss in Lemon Incest, S$12.90.

Make-up and grooming essentials to pack along when you're out and about during Chinese New Year

1. Concealer

Concealers are sheer enough to layer atop your make-up, and good enough to even out foundation smudges. Try Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat (S$55) or Burberry Sheer Concealer (S$52).

2. Powder

You never want to leave home without your pressed powder, girls. We like Laneige Water Supreme Finishing Pact SPF25 PA++ (S$55), Lancome Teint Miracle Pressed Powder (S$65) and Cle de Peau Beaute Brightening Powder Foundation (available from Mar for S$150, without case).

3. Lipstick

Brightens your complexion immediately. Remember to pop it in your clutch.

4. Lip balm

Besides hydrating your lips, lip balm doubles up as a cuticle moisturiser, too.

5. Perfume

Bring along a vial of your signature scent because you'll still want to smell like a bed of daisies at eight in the evening.

6. Dental floss

Having a sliver of bak kwa stuck in your teeth is never attractive.

7. Cotton buds

Because, as you know, things smudge.

STOCKISTS

Burberry Beauty - Available exclusively at Tangs Beauty Hall Level 1

Cle de Peau Beaute - Available at Cle de Peau Beaute counters

Clio - Available at selected Watsons stores

Estee Lauder - Available at all Estee Lauder counters

Hello Kitty - Available at selected Watsons stores

Kose - Available at all Kose counters

L'Oreal Paris - Available at Watsons, Guardian, SaSa, selected departmental stores and super hypermarkets

Lancome - Available at all Lancome counters

Laneige - Available at all Laneige counters and boutiques

Laura Mercier - Available at Tangs Beauty Hall Level 1

M.A.C. - Available at all M.A.C. counters and stores and www.maccosmetics.com.sg.

Majorlica Majorca - Available at selected Watsons stores

Make Up For Ever - Available at all Sephora outlets and Make Up For Ever Academy & Pro Loft Singapore (36 & 38 Armenian Street, #01-06 & #02-06)

Nars - Available at Tangs Beauty Hall Level 1

Redken - Email redken@sg.loreal.com for salon listings

Sally Hansen - Available at Watsons, Guardian, Sasa, BHG, Robinsons, John Little and other stores

Shiseido - Available at all Shiseido counters

Shu Uemura - Available at all Shu Uemura counters

Stila - Available at all Sephora outlets

Urban Decay - Available at all Sephora outlets

Yves Saint Laurent Beaute - #B2-34 Ion Orchard